Star Wars is not ending but is instead entering a new phase of storytelling and production, with fresh projects underway that suggest the franchise is far from finished. While there has been a slowdown in new Star Wars movies recently, significant developments indicate that the saga is evolving rather than concluding.
After the initial burst of Star Wars films following Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm, including the sequel trilogy and standalone movies, the pace of new theatrical releases has slowed. Notably, Rian Johnson, who directed The Last Jedi, was once slated to create a new trilogy exploring unexplored parts of the galaxy. However, as of 2025, this trilogy has not moved forward, with Johnson focusing on other projects like his Knives Out series. He has expressed enthusiasm about returning to Star Wars in the future but is currently occupied elsewhere[1].
Despite this, the Star Wars franchise is very much active. A new movie titled Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, is in production as of late 2025. This film is reportedly more than halfway through filming and aims to bring a fresh, thrilling take on the franchise’s space combat tradition. Levy has mentioned that the movie will feature immersive, practical effects and intense aerial dogfights reminiscent of the iconic Death Star trench run, but with a modern twist inspired by films like Top Gun: Maverick and F1 racing. This suggests a reinvigoration of the franchise’s action sequences and a commitment to high-quality, innovative filmmaking[2][5].
On the television and expanded universe front, Star Wars continues to thrive. The High Republic era, a relatively recent narrative initiative set centuries before the Skywalker saga, is seeing a revival in 2026 with new comic series and stories. Although the initial High Republic phase concluded in mid-2025, creators have clarified that this is not the end of the era but rather a transition to new stories within that timeline. This ongoing expansion into different media formats shows Lucasfilm’s intent to keep exploring the Star Wars universe in diverse ways beyond just movies[3].
George Lucas himself, the original creator of Star Wars, has acknowledged that he has moved past his desire to control the franchise and is supportive of Disney and Lucasfilm’s vision. He remains involved in a limited capacity, maintaining relationships with key figures and occasionally visiting sets, but his focus has shifted to other projects like his museum. This transition of stewardship suggests that Star Wars is now firmly in the hands of a new generation of creators who are shaping its future[4].
In summary, Star Wars is not ending but is instead undergoing a period of transformation. The pause in new movie releases does not indicate a conclusion but rather a recalibration. With new films like Starfighter in production, ongoing expansions in comics and TV series, and a supportive creative environment, the franchise is poised to continue captivating audiences for years to come. The galaxy far, far away is still very much alive and ready to tell new stories.
